"Six months before the presidential election, the big risk is that the campaign is already played out against a backdrop of fear, exasperation, and a demand for authority"

France has been facing a cycle of ultraviolence leading to injuries, public property damage, and looting. This violence has roots in past protests, including the El Khomri law demonstrations and the 2018 'yellow vests' movement. The recent unrest was sparked by the death of Nahel in 2023 and escalated in 2026 during protests linked to the PSG's Champions League qualification. The convergence of high school students and 'yellow vests' resulted in over 2,000 arrests on October 17. Each outbreak of violence undermines democracy, sidelining the original demands and eroding fundamental rights, including the right to protest. The situation has led to heavy police presence and public pressure on the judiciary to act swiftly against arrested youths, often without proper legal representation.